Queens Park Rangers were on Tuesday in talks with Alex after finally agreeing
a fee with Chelsea to sign the defender.

Last month The Daily Telegraph first revealed QPR's interest in signing the 29-year-old centre-half, after his transfer request was accepted by Chelsea, and it is hoped he will become one of two Brazilians signed by new manager Mark Hughes this week.

QPR have reached an agreement with Sao Paulo to sign 20-year-old striker Henrique on what is expected to be an 18-month loan deal with the option for a permanent transfer. The only concern over Henrique is whether the star of the recent Under-20 World Cup will obtain a work permit.

Hughes is also chasing Christopher Samba, who has submitted a transfer request at Blackburn Rovers, as he works hard to rebuild QPR’s defence.

It is understood that Samba is keen to be reunited with Hughes, who signed him for Blackburn, but QPR are facing strong competition from Tottenham Hotspur.

Blackburn issued a strong statement on Tuesday claiming Samba was not for sale but QPR are attempting to gauge at what price the club would consider a deal having already had offers of £5 million and £6.5 million rejected.

In their statement Blackburn said: “The player signed a new contract with the club less than a year ago which runs to June 2015.” However Samba is understood to have met Blackburn manager Steve Kean yesterday and asked to be allowed to leave.

If QPR fail to sign Samba they will return with a fresh offer for Nedum Onuoha having had a bid of around £2.5 million already rejected by Manchester City. Hughes is also likely to make an offer for Wayne Bridge if City will either give him a pay-off or agree to subsidise his wages.

Chelsea will receive more than £3 million for Alex, who is also wanted by Paris St-Germain and is considering offers to return to Brazil, with manager Andre Villas-Boas wanting to push through his departure now that he has acquired Gary Cahill for £7 million.

The former Bolton Wanderers defender trained with his new team-mates for the first time on Tuesday and suggested that England manager Fabio Capello will be pleased that he is joining up with John Terry.

The pair have forged a strong defensive partnership with England and Cahill said: “I’m sure that the England manager is happy that there is a possibility we could be playing together but you have to be respectful of the fact that I have to earn my position in this team.”